Douglas Runyowa, the Chief Director for Commerce in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, has said nearly 50% of groceries seized from tuck shops and vending stalls during the ongoing crackdown on counterfeit and smuggled goods in Zimbabwe are fake and potentially harmful to health.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce on Tuesday, Runyowa expressed concern over the growing problem of counterfeit products in Zimbabwe, saying the situation has reached alarming levels. He said (via <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/half-of-stock-sold-in-zimbabwean-tuck-shops-are-fake-goods-ministry-official/">ZimLive</a>):
<blockquote>
Most of what we have seen in the informal sector is quite shocking, and in our awareness programmes, we are saying it might be cheap but it’s coming at an expense to your health because we cannot guarantee what is not there.
Our health authorities have not certified some of those goods as safe and fit for human consumption, hence we really need to intensify our efforts through an all-stakeholder approach and it is a fight that would also be needed for our portfolio committee to help us intensify, because really what is out there is quite scary.
</blockquote>
Runyowa revealed that the counterfeit products seized include fake Vaseline, flour, rice, and toothpaste. He said:
<blockquote>
I would like to, not to scare you, but to advise you that we recently carried out a survey with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe where we went and bought products from the shelf and took them for testing and compared what was written in the results; 50 per cent of the products did not comply. You can actually see fake Vaseline, fake flour, fake rice, fake toothpaste, and this is an alarming rate.
You will be aware that over the last quarter, going back to October, there has been an intensified blitz against counterfeit goods, against smuggled goods, so much so that even this afternoon we are actually destroying about four tonnes of goods that were actually confiscated during that practice, to ensure that we remove them from the shelves, because we cannot guarantee our people that they are actually consuming safe goods.
</blockquote>
Runyowa called on Parliament to lend its support in the ongoing battle against the spread of counterfeit products.

Pindula News

Half of all groceries sold in Zimbabwean tuck shops are fake and can be harmful to health. The government is trying to stop the sale of these counterfeit products. The Chief Director for Commerce is worried about this problem getting worse. They found fake Vaseline, flour, rice, and toothpaste being sold. They did tests and found that 50% of the products were not safe. The government is working hard to remove these fake products from the shelves. They need help from Parliament to fight against counterfeit goods.

"Half Of Grocery Items Sold In Zimbabwean Tuck Shops Are Fake"

The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has uncovered a syndicate of dishonest businesses in Bindura’s central business district, Mashonaland Central Province, involved in repackaging low-quality, underweight sugar.
The sugar, weighing 1.6kg, was being falsely labelled as 2kg under the brands Star Brand and Sugar Pack, deceiving consumers and shortchanging them. The CPC stated:
<blockquote>
These despicable pseudo businesspersons were caught during the ongoing Cabinet directed operation/blitz against business malpractice where CPC conducted inspections in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Trade Measures Department, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Preliminary Intelligence information indicates that this business is a major supplier of illegally repacked sugar in the country.
The shop was subsequently closed, the sugar confiscated, and legal proceedings have been initiated against them.
So far during the ongoing operation, over ninety unscrupulous businesses were prosecuted, and those found guilty of serious offenses have been taken to court to answer to their charges.
Such actions constitute a clear violation of section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 14:44), which prohibits suppliers from selling or marketing any goods or services unless they meet the mandatory safety and quality standards as prescribed by law.
</blockquote>
CPC has urged members of the public with information on where this Star Brand sugar or Sugar Pack is being sold or repacked to report such cases to the Commission through our Hotlines: +263719 176 856 / 861 / 865, Netone tollfree number 08012301, or our call centre number +263 867 701 0043.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A group of dishonest shops in Bindura, Zimbabwe were caught selling fake 2kg sugar packs that actually only weighed 1.6kg, cheating customers. The Consumer Protection Commission shut down the shops and confiscated the sugar. They are now facing legal action. This is part of a bigger operation to stop businesses from tricking people. The CPC is asking the public to report any more shops selling fake sugar. They have already prosecuted over ninety businesses for breaking the law. This goes against the rules to protect consumers and the shops can face serious consequences for their actions.

CPC Shuts Down Shops For Selling Fake 2kg Sugar Packs

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said that the government has stepped up efforts this upcoming festive season to combat smuggling and the trade in counterfeit products, which pose risks to public health and the economy.
Ndlovu admitted the influx of illegally imported goods, such as baby formula, detergents, and harmful substances, has been a long-standing issue.
However, he stated that the government has implemented measures to safeguard the public from potential harm while supporting the local manufacturing sector.
These measures include the deployment of personnel to marketplaces and border points to intercept and eliminate smuggled and counterfeit products. Said Ndlovu:
<blockquote>
We want to ensure that smuggled and counterfeit goods do not enter Zimbabwe this December. Our goal is to protect consumers from potential violations during this period.
We have declared war on counterfeit goods and are strengthening our institutions to tackle this issue effectively.
This will significantly reduce the influx of counterfeit and substandard products, which are particularly prevalent during this season.
</blockquote>
The increase in smuggled goods on the local market is primarily fueled by porous borders and high demand for cheaper alternatives.
Areas like Mbare and downtown Harare have been identified as hotspots where unscrupulous traders repackage substandard products to deceive consumers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government of Zimbabwe is working hard to stop people from bringing in fake and bad food and other things from other countries. They want to keep people safe and help local businesses. They are sending people to places where these fake things are sold to stop them from being sold. They are also making sure everyone knows that these things are not good for them. People are bringing in fake things because it's cheaper, but the government wants to stop this. They are focusing on places like Mbare and downtown Harare where people sell fake things to trick others.

Zimbabwe "Declares War" On Smuggled, Counterfeit Groceries Ahead Of Christmas

Two men from Harare have been ordered to perform unpaid community service and pay fines after being caught selling underweight sugar.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Ernest Gwetsai (30) from Glenview 1 and Forget Dzapasi from Glen Norah A were recently convicted in the Harare Magistrates’ Court on two counts related to the sale of falsely labelled and underweight sugar.
The duo was found guilty of delivering products with misleading labels and selling goods without invoices.
They sold “Star Brands 2kg” brown sugar, which was found to be underweight, ranging from 1.243 to 1.330 kg per pack.
The illegal activities were uncovered by police detectives, who purchased a case of the sugar from KKK shop at Target Building, Corner Bute and Rezende St, Harare, in June 2024.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Gwetsai and Dzapasi were the suppliers of the sugar, but they could not provide any documentation for a second consignment delivered to the same shop. They were unable to explain the lack of invoices or delivery notes for the goods.
As a result, the two men were sentenced to 12 months in prison, with four months suspended for five years.
An additional eight months were suspended on the condition that they complete 210 hours of community service.
They were also fined US$100 for selling goods without invoices.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two men from Harare were caught selling sugar that was lighter than what the label said. They were found guilty in court for this. They were selling sugar without invoices. The police discovered this when they bought the sugar from a store in Harare. The men were sentenced to 12 months in prison, but some of the time was suspended. They also have to do community service and pay a fine. This shows that it is important to sell products honestly and accurately.

Two Harare Traders In Court For Selling Underweight Sugar

A Zimbabwean national was arrested on Thursday at his Hillbrow flat in Johannesburg, South Africa after he was caught in possession of counterfeit documents.
Gauteng police found the Zimbabwean while he was busy manufacturing various documents including Identity Documents, drivers’ licenses, bank cards, Sassa cards and travel documents.
Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela told reporters in South Africa that they were conducting Operation Okae Molao in the Johannesburg CBD when they received a tip-off that there was a Zimbabwean national who sells various documents from his flat. Said Mawela:
<blockquote>
Officers went there and found this person hard at work, busy manufacturing some documents, including, COVID-19 certificates, competence certificates for firearms and so forth.
The individual [allegedly] produced almost every qualification or documentation you can think of and when police entered the building, they found him busy producing the documents on his computer.
This includes matric certificates, firearm licences, driver’s licences, diplomas, travel documents, and Covid certificates.
This person has been long in the business, some of the documents date back from 2020 and this man is not operating alone, it’s a syndicate in its nature [as] people were being passed other people’s information on when they [are] leaving
</blockquote>
Police officers also found printers, scanners, hard drives and various equipment used to produce the illegal documents in the flat.
The man was arrested and all the documents that were found in the suspect’s house were confiscated and taken to the Hillbrow police station.
Mawela said the police will check whether the Zimbabwean has previous convictions or not.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FQS6_7KXEAAIwFG?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/watch-zim-man-arrested-for-issuing-fake-ids-sassa-cards-covid-certificates-from-his-hillbrow-flat-8e55e8a9-ad47-40a9-9606-b49befb36993">IOL</a></h4>

Zimbabwean Arrested After Police Find Fake Document "Factory" Inside Joburg Flat

A member of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Reserve_Bank_of_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ)</a> Monetary Policy Committee, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Eddie_Cross" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eddie Cross</a>, on Monday said that the Central Bank will introduce small denominations to make it difficult for the production of counterfeit notes of the new currency.
Cross said this while responding to a question in an interview with Star FM’s <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Linda_Muriro" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linda Muriro</a>.
He also said that higher denominations will be with high-end security features will be introduced in the next few months.
The RBZ on Monday revealed that it will issue a new $2 coin on 11 November 2019 to circulate alongside existing bonds notes and coins and new Zimbabwe Dollar notes which will be issued in the near future.
<h4>More: <a href="https://equityaxis.net/2019/11/05/introduction-of-new-money-in-smaller-denominations-meant-to-combat-counterfeits-eddie-cross/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Equity Axis</a></h4>

Small Denominations Meant To Fight Counterfeit Notes - Eddie Cross

With some reports <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/beer-prices-very-low-on-the-black-market-attract-hotels-etc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">claiming that alcohol has become every cheap on the black market, that is, on the streets,</a> it has been established that most of the brands flooding the market are fake brands.
The counterfeit beer, especially whiskey brands have flooded the streets in major urban centres across the country.
The fake brands, which include popular brands such as Johnnie Walker’s Red Label, Jameson, Red, Grants and Best brands, are reportedly being smuggled into the country from neighbouring Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia at ridiculously low prices according to 263Chat.com.
An unnamed trader in the counterfeit whiskey business who spoke to the publication said:
<blockquote>We get this stuff from Mozambique. We buy a bottle of Best Whiskey in Mozambique for US$ 1 and sell it for US$ 5 here.
They vary between US$ 1 and US$ 5 depending on the type of brand. We then sell Red Label for US$ 13, Grants at US$ 12.</blockquote>
The price at which the fake whiskey is sold is very low when compared to prices on the formal market.
A whiskey imbiber who spoke to 263Chat, identified as Taurai Katsvairo said:
<blockquote>Whether it’s fake of genuine we don’t care the taste is the same. This has become our trademark beer. Imagine Viceroy and other brandy we were used to drinking are costing around ZWL$ 66 and above, yet Best whiskey which is relatively smoother and finer in taste is just US$ 5, that’s something like ZWL$ 50. Why wouldn’t I be tempted to opt for Best Whiskey?
It is thought that some formal retailers have joined the bandwagon and are now beginning to stock fake supplies which they buy from the streets.</blockquote>
Popular joints across Harare such as Zindoga, Warren Park Mereki,  Chikwana and Ziko are said to be awash with the fake brands.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2019/07/22/youth-league-in-sensational-u-turn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">263Chat</a></h4>

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